What looks "normal" in real-time, is something quite different when you have the means to perceive it.
Very cool stuff. See for yourself.
Here is a video showing a water-drop in ultra-slow-motion (2,000 frames per second). It is from the Discovery Channel's series 'Time Warp', where MIT scientist and teacher Jeff Lieberman and digital-imaging expert Matt Kearney use the latest in high-speed photography to turn never-before-seen wonders into an experience of beauty and learning.
What it Means.
Wisdom comes from finer distinctions.
Think about how being able to make more distinctions per unit time is changing the world.
pzizz (pronounced puh-zizz) Relax is a power-nap app.
Whenever you feel tired or frazzled, put on your headphones, set the time you have available – and pzizz creates a
new and unique soundtrack, each time you use it. There's nothing to learn
– and no effort required by you.
Simply press a button, and you get a surprisingly effective and pleasant relaxation session.
Increase Energy and Performance.
I've been a pzizz user since 2005. Frankly, I'm still surprised by how much it helps when you need a quick nap, pick-me-up, or boost of energy (even if you only have 15-20 minutes). It is nice that it works to relax you; it is even better that you wake-up feeling good and ready for the rest of your day.
Here's How it Works.
First, find a comfortable place. Second, choose how long you want your power nap to be. Third, adjust how much talking you prefer. Fourth, headphones are better – but not necessary. Fifth, press the button and let yourself relax.
What Happens?
Each session has three parts, the Intro, Main Session, and Wake-Up Sequence. Throughout all of them, a deep, cool, British voice guides you through some relaxation techniques and gives you encouragement and positive feedback. The voice is done by Michael Breen, a well-know NLP Expert.
Sound Waves Affect Brain Waves.
In addition to the NLP guidance, pzizz also leverages binaural beats and ambient sounds to help you relax. Yes, there is also a pleasant background track complete with music, bells, wind chimes and other assorted ear candy designed to lull you to sleep. Bottom-Line: You'll like it.
Try It Yourself.
If this all sounds new-agey, I can't blame you. I mocked the idea of pzizz when I first heard about it. "Actions speak louder than words". If you need proof, try it yourself. Click this link to download a sample 15 minute energizer soundtrack and a sample 15 minute sleep soundtrack to see how it works for you.
The software is available for PCs and Macs. Also, pzizz has two iPhone apps.
Keep an open mind and you may be pleasantly surprised.
pzizz (pronounced puh-zizz) Relax is a power-nap app.
Whenever you feel tired or frazzled, put on your headphones, set the time you have available – and pzizz creates a
new and unique soundtrack, each time you use it. There's nothing to learn
– and no effort required by you.
Simply press a button, and you get a surprisingly effective and pleasant relaxation session.
Increase Energy and Performance.
I've been a pzizz user since 2005. Frankly, I'm still surprised by how much it helps when you need a quick nap, pick-me-up, or boost of energy (even if you only have 15-20 minutes). It is nice that it works to relax you; it is even better that you wake-up feeling good and ready for the rest of your day.
Here's How it Works.
First, find a comfortable place. Second, choose how long you want your power nap to be. Third, adjust how much talking you prefer. Fourth, headphones are better – but not necessary. Fifth, press the button and let yourself relax.
What Happens?
Each session has three parts, the Intro, Main Session, and Wake-Up Sequence. Throughout all of them, a deep, cool, British voice guides you through some relaxation techniques and gives you encouragement and positive feedback. The voice is done by Michael Breen, a well-know NLP Expert.
Sound Waves Affect Brain Waves.
In addition to the NLP guidance, pzizz also leverages binaural beats and ambient sounds to help you relax. Yes, there is also a pleasant background track complete with music, bells, wind chimes and other assorted ear candy designed to lull you to sleep. Bottom-Line: You'll like it.
Try It Yourself.
If this all sounds new-agey, I can't blame you. I mocked the idea of pzizz when I first heard about it. "Actions speak louder than words". If you need proof, try it yourself. Click this link to download a sample 15 minute energizer soundtrack and a sample 15 minute sleep soundtrack to see how it works for you.
The software is available for PCs and Macs. Also, pzizz has two iPhone apps.
Keep an open mind and you may be pleasantly surprised.
How many things that you think you "know" are out-dated or simply not true? Ignorance isn't always the problem; this video shows that pre-conceived notions pose quite a challenge.
In this Ted Talk, called "Let My Dataset Change Your Mindset", watch as Hans Rosling uses fascinating data-bubble software to burst myths about the developing world, and how the world has developed.
Very interesting for the content … and the analysis techniques.
How many things that you think you "know" are out-dated or simply not true? Ignorance isn't always the problem; this video shows that pre-conceived notions pose quite a challenge.
In this Ted Talk, called "Let My Dataset Change Your Mindset", watch as Hans Rosling uses fascinating data-bubble software to burst myths about the developing world, and how the world has developed.
Very interesting for the content … and the analysis techniques.
I recently went to a Tony Robbins seminar in Toronto. One of the highlights of the event was the Firewalk, which is a barefoot walk across red-hot embers.
Learning the technique is not really that hard (it is basically walking at
a normal pace, while not hesitating or tripping). The hard part is doing that knowing that there are burning embers under your feet.
It is breath-taking on several levels. The firewalk is cool in-and-of-itself;
isn't it? So, it doesn't have to mean anything beyond doing
it. Yet, there are some great opportunities to make it more impactful by leveraging what you make the experience mean.
For example you can use the
experience as a powerful memory, triggering feelings of being able to do
anything you commit to … or breaking through what used to be your limits. Or the firewalk can be taken as a metaphor for life … and being able to put yourself into a resourceful state, and choosing to take the right action regardless of what's happening externally or in your mind.
What Goes Through Your Mind?
I was scared the first time I walked on fire. Even though I knew it would do it, when I got to the front of the line, looked down, saw the burning embers, and smelled the smoke … my mind wanted to scream "NO"!! I had a whole lifetime of conditioning that touching hot things was dangerous, and certainly walking barefoot across hot coals made little sense to my logical mind, and even less sense to that primal instinct part of the mind that's there to protect me.
That's why many of the techniques used in the seminars revolve around getting into a peak state, and filling your head with phrases that you repeat again, and again, and again. If you're saying "yes", "yes", "yes" … There's no room for your brain to say "no".
Is It State of Mind … Or Science?
I'm not going to pretend I understand the science of why it's possible to walk barefoot for 30 or 40 feet across burning coals, without injuring yourself. But you don't have to be a scientist to guess that hesitating in the middle might have painful consequences. This video is well done and explains a lot.
.
It is Better the Second Time Around.
I've done the firewalk many times now, and still enjoy it. It's really interesting to watch the faces of people doing it for the first time. Some express abject terror, others pump themselves up into a manic state, while still others follow the crowd with a glazed look on their face.
This time, I tried something different than what I've done before. Instead of working myself into a peak state and charging across the coals triumphantly, I wanted to do it from a place of calm resolve. To me this is a different type of peak state.
In some ways it's about being more present to the situation and my own capabilities. Since I had done this before, being afraid would be somewhat irrational (however emotions do not have to be logical). I didn't want to numb myself to the experience by focusing internally, or by jacking-myself-up into a warrior state; instead I wanted to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of what was happening — and how cool it was to do this from a purposeful intent.
A Little Bit of Mastery Goes a Long Way.
As a trader, the winning, losing, and the uncertainty and certainly trigger fear, greed, and doubt. Learning to master these states, and keeping a clear head, leads to a much longer career.
It's funny, because I wasn't sure that going through this exercise again would have the same impact. It did, just for different reasons than I have before. I highly recommend it. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or comments. I'd love to hear about your experiences.
I recently went to a Tony Robbins seminar in Toronto. One of the highlights of the event was the Firewalk, which is a barefoot walk across red-hot embers.
Learning the technique is not really that hard (it is basically walking at
a normal pace, while not hesitating or tripping). The hard part is doing that knowing that there are burning embers under your feet.
It is breath-taking on several levels. The firewalk is cool in-and-of-itself;
isn't it? So, it doesn't have to mean anything beyond doing
it. Yet, there are some great opportunities to make it more impactful by leveraging what you make the experience mean.
For example you can use the
experience as a powerful memory, triggering feelings of being able to do
anything you commit to … or breaking through what used to be your limits. Or the firewalk can be taken as a metaphor for life … and being able to put yourself into a resourceful state, and choosing to take the right action regardless of what's happening externally or in your mind.
What Goes Through Your Mind?
I was scared the first time I walked on fire. Even though I knew it would do it, when I got to the front of the line, looked down, saw the burning embers, and smelled the smoke … my mind wanted to scream "NO"!! I had a whole lifetime of conditioning that touching hot things was dangerous, and certainly walking barefoot across hot coals made little sense to my logical mind, and even less sense to that primal instinct part of the mind that's there to protect me.
That's why many of the techniques used in the seminars revolve around getting into a peak state, and filling your head with phrases that you repeat again, and again, and again. If you're saying "yes", "yes", "yes" … There's no room for your brain to say "no".
Is It State of Mind … Or Science?
I'm not going to pretend I understand the science of why it's possible to walk barefoot for 30 or 40 feet across burning coals, without injuring yourself. But you don't have to be a scientist to guess that hesitating in the middle might have painful consequences. This video is well done and explains a lot.
.
It is Better the Second Time Around.
I've done the firewalk many times now, and still enjoy it. It's really interesting to watch the faces of people doing it for the first time. Some express abject terror, others pump themselves up into a manic state, while still others follow the crowd with a glazed look on their face.
This time, I tried something different than what I've done before. Instead of working myself into a peak state and charging across the coals triumphantly, I wanted to do it from a place of calm resolve. To me this is a different type of peak state.
In some ways it's about being more present to the situation and my own capabilities. Since I had done this before, being afraid would be somewhat irrational (however emotions do not have to be logical). I didn't want to numb myself to the experience by focusing internally, or by jacking-myself-up into a warrior state; instead I wanted to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of what was happening — and how cool it was to do this from a purposeful intent.
A Little Bit of Mastery Goes a Long Way.
As a trader, the winning, losing, and the uncertainty and certainly trigger fear, greed, and doubt. Learning to master these states, and keeping a clear head, leads to a much longer career.
It's funny, because I wasn't sure that going through this exercise again would have the same impact. It did, just for different reasons than I have before. I highly recommend it. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or comments. I'd love to hear about your experiences.
Good news, this picture does not illustrate an effective vaccine technique.
Swine Flu is getting a lot of press. Some responses make fun of the panic. For example, I saw a link to a test to determine if you have the disease. Clicking the link takes you to a page that says "Panic! You Are Infected."
Twitter is a great place to watch public emotion unfold. Here is a comic that pokes fun at the reaction to Swine Flu.
Humor aside, here are some links on the subject if you are interested.
Good news, this picture does not illustrate an effective vaccine technique.
Swine Flu is getting a lot of press. Some responses make fun of the panic. For example, I saw a link to a test to determine if you have the disease. Clicking the link takes you to a page that says "Panic! You Are Infected."
Twitter is a great place to watch public emotion unfold. Here is a comic that pokes fun at the reaction to Swine Flu.
Humor aside, here are some links on the subject if you are interested.
Do gadgets that help you focus on conscious breathing work? I found three that worked for me: Resperate, Helicor's StressEraser, and Heart Math's emWave.
My biggest complaint is that once I learned the relaxation techniques each of these devices teach, I didn't need the device to get the results. That also is a positive, isn't it?
I think, feel, and communicate better when I'm calm. Learning to access that state at will is an important skill … in business and personal life.
So, with that in mind, here are my impressions and experience with each.
Resperate.
The Resperate unit is a little bigger than a portable CD-ROM player, with a built-in elastic strap that goes around your ribcage to monitor your breathing. The concept behind this tool is very simple. It relaxes you by helping you slow your breathing down.
Resperate starts by pacing your in-and-out breaths with higher and lower pitched sound cues. Over time it moves these tones farther apart, leading you to breathe slower and more deeply.
How did it work? It helped me move easily from 6 to 10 breaths-per-minute, down to two or three breaths-per-minute. This promotes much deeper breathing and relaxes the body and mind. I find that I enjoy using this tool for about 10-minutes at a time; and I definitely feel relaxed after using it.
While Resperate provided the most relaxation, it is the one I use least. Perhaps because it is a little bigger and requires the belt. Not big hurdles; but apparently big enough.
Helicor's StressEraser.
The StressEraser is a portable biofeedback device, smaller than a deck of cards. On the top, there is a hinged slot to put your finger. The finger reader measures your pulse and galvanic skin response. There is also an LED screen on this device that helps you pace your breathing, and shows your level of stress or relaxation.
Without focusing, the line is erratic and jagged.
However, with only a little bit of training, it's easy to create a very smooth sign wave that indicates a steady breathing and a healthy heart rate pattern.
With this tool, I get the best (most relaxing) results with an
in-breath of about five seconds and an out-breath of about the same length. I like doing this for five minutes or so; it is a nice break in the middle of the day, before an important phone call, or a decision-making session.
I
find that it
helps me focus. Of the three tools, this is the one I find myself using most often. This might be because I like the graph and how it gives me instantaneous feedback about my breathing and focus.
HeartMath's emWave.
This is the smallest of the tools. The emWave relies on either a thumb sensor or, my preference, a clip that attaches to your earlobe. The technique is very similar to what you learn with the StressEraser. It involves steady breathing and a focus on reducing heart beat variability. It has four levels of challenge.
It sounds strange, and I don't claim to understand the science behind it, however focusing your attention on your heart while doing the breathing exercise seems to make a difference. Somehow, when you focus your attention on your heart, that is when the machine changes color to indicate that there is "coherence". And, in my experience, this is the most relaxing part of the exercise. More coherence equals less stress.
I tend to use this tool less than five minutes at a time to feel calm and refreshed. It was also the easiest for me to have success with (in this case, to get the "green light" to come on). So, the emWave is the smallest, easiest and quickest of the three … and it works. I'm going to use this more often.
So why did I use one that is more challenging? Habit, or perhaps that defines part of the reason I need to relax?
